Equatorial Guinea Expedition, the volunteers and their testimonies.
Africa has always been my right ‘eye’ and being part of this expedition is the best and greatest thing I have been able to do for myself and above all for others.
Despite its hardness, despite the nerves at the beginning, it has exceeded all my expectations. I was lucky to meet a wonderful group that will remain in my heart forever.
Bittersweet feeling, very proud of what we have achieved and sad to come back and not be able to do more.
I would love to repeat of course.
Raquel Gómez Meleno – field volunteer.
As we get closer to the date of a new expedition, the journey begins with the packing of the bags, from the foundation with a very professional and meticulous work with endless lists to carry everything necessary, a great effort that few see and from home with comfortable slippers and a toothbrush is enough because the suitcase is completed by the illusions, the impetus, the effort, the love and the dreams of volunteers no matter where they are, all together with the task of helping to fight blindness. Hand in hand with our beloved boss Elena Barraquer, we follow in her footsteps so that we can be strong and give more of ourselves every day on this path. We are a group of people who, without ever having seen each other, become a family on every trip, forgetting about long flights, fatigue, our affections from miles away, always ready to move forward. From my work as a field doctor I have met many patients, their families, perhaps with their lives on hold to care for their loved ones, protecting and accompanying them, they have confided their stories to me, in many cases they have happily improved their vision and thus their quality of life, but not all of them can be treated as they have other pathologies other than cataracts and that is my most bitter moment, holding their hand and explaining to them that they cannot be helped with this surgery. My favourite moment is to remove the patch and for them to discover that they can see, laugh, cry, dance, applaud, an emotion that I always carry with me and is the engine that makes me want to come back. I invite you to be encouraged to be volunteers, to collaborate in any way you can, always with respect, to be more supportive, persevering, to work as a team with commitment and empathy for others, because together is better.
Laura Molina – Ophthalmologist
It is almost impossible to define the experience in a few lines, I would sum it up in a whirlwind of sensations. I remember the moment when a group of nine strangers started the adventure to Equatorial Guinea and the great team we became; where all hands were volunteers to help and accompany with a big smile.
All the effort is more than rewarded when you see people smile when they recover their sight, in our case 312. Without a doubt, I return with a backpack full of learning and experiences, as well as a heart full of wonderful people and an agenda ready for the next one.
I don’t want to forget the great team behind all the expeditions, without them and their great dedication, none of this would be possible. Thank you!
Leticia Gilda – Field Volunteer
